Bell Curve

In this discussion, Jacob Horne, Co-founder and CEO of Zora, dives into how tokenization is transforming the creator economy. He details Zora’s journey and the innovative integration of NFTs in fashion. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of NFT royalties and liquidity models. Horne explores the differences between creator and meme coins and highlights the challenges of monetization. Lastly, he emphasizes the impact of blockchain on content valuation and community engagement in reshaping the digital economy.

The podcast delves into the rise of stablecoins and their transformative effects on institutional finance. It discusses new entrants in the stablecoin market and the changing dynamics of venture capital. Insights into market manipulation are highlighted, particularly involving Hyperliquid. The conversation also covers the complexities between decentralized and centralized exchanges, alongside challenges in private equity and M&A activities in crypto. Overall, it unpacks the urgent need for innovation and transparency in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger and a pioneer in crypto security, dives into the crucial issues surrounding crypto custody. He discusses the shift from self-custody to institutional control, raising concerns about privacy and security. Gauthier emphasizes the need for a regulatory balance that protects innovation while safeguarding individual rights. He also tackles the tension between privacy and government surveillance in financial transactions, arguing for the importance of maintaining privacy in the evolving digital economy.

Yves La Rose, CEO of the EOS Network Foundation and a crypto veteran since 2010, delves into the evolution of blockchain technology. He discusses the rebranding of EOS to Volta and its implications for Web3 banking. The conversation also covers the surge of institutional capital in cryptocurrency, changes in Layer 1 blockchain dynamics, and evolving investor sentiments. Yves highlights the importance of holding Layer 1 tokens and shifts towards assessing their value based on revenue rather than mere speculation.

David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Group, dives into the shifting landscape of crypto adoption within institutional finance. He discusses the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, highlighting the critical role of credit in unlocking institutional capital. Mercer emphasizes the need for clear regulatory frameworks to facilitate this transition. He also explores emerging trends like stablecoins and new trading practices, providing insights into future predictions for institutional investment in cryptocurrencies.

Get ready for an exciting dive into the world of crypto! The conversation revolves around the explosive growth of stablecoins and Real-World Assets (RWAs). Discover how institutions are gearing up for 2025, and what that means for crypto exchanges. There's a focus on evolving market structures and the challenges faced by exchanges transitioning into the U.S. Plus, regulatory shifts and their potential impact on the future of stablecoins are all laid out in an engaging manner, guaranteed to spark your interest in the crypto landscape!

Explore the dynamic world of stablecoins and their integration with traditional finance. Discover Sky’s bold move with tokenized T-bills and the implications of institutional versus retail sentiments. The discussion dives into the evolving market landscape, showcasing potential new players and the integration of real-world assets like solar energy. Future innovations like on-chain treasury auctions are also on the table, hinting at how stablecoins could revolutionize payments and attract retail investors.

Myles O’Neil, a contributor to Delta Network, Jim Parillo, an expert on L1 governance models, and Cooper Kunz, who provides insights on Solana's ecosystem, tackle the intricacies of L1 governance. They dive into the implications of the SIMD-228 proposal and compare governance structures across Solana, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. The discussion questions whether decentralization improves decision-making and evaluates the roles of token holders, validators, and foundations in shaping network dynamics.

In this episode, we cover Trump's tariff strategy, correlations between TradFi and DeFi yields, and stablecoin growth. We also discuss Binance's $2B investment from Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and the implications of Trump's Digital Asset Summit. Additionally, we explore the changing psychology of crypto cycles, the challenges of building in bear markets, and the importance of regulatory advocacy for DeFi. Thanks for tuning in!--Aries Markets is the largest lending protocol on Aptos by TVL, and among the top 10 lending protocols across all blockchains! Since launch, Aries has expanded its product suite to become a fully integrated DeFi hub combining lending, borrowing, and more to its community of 738,000+ unique users. To learn more about why Aries Markets deployed on Aptos, visit ariesmarkets.xyz--Marinade is the premier staking delegation platform on Solana, bringing billions in liquidity and security to the Solana network, and connecting SOL holders to the best staking rates.Since launching in 2021, Marinade has expanded their suite of products to provide solutions for both DeFi users and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations. To learn more about Marinade, follow the link below: https://marinade.finance/?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=podcast--Traders, AI enthusiasts, and degens—listen up! The game is changing, and DESK is leading the charge. Welcome to the next generation of perpetual trading—where cutting-edge technology meets AI-driven automation.Trade today at https://desk.exchange/?register-channel=BWpodcast and follow @TradeOnDESK on X!--Morpho is a permissionless lending platform that allows anyone to earn yield and borrow assets on your terms.Its flexible, trustless infrastructure also empowers developers and businesses to build and tailor their own financial products.Whether you're an individual, fund, fintech, or institution, Morpho is for you.Try Morpho today: https://app.morpho.org/?network=mainnet&spdl=99nsk9--Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_Follow Michael: https://twitter.com/im_mandersonFollow Vance: https://twitter.com/pythianismSubscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmDSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXHGet top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/Join the Bell Curve Telegram group: https://t.me/+nzyxAvQ0Xxc3YTEx--Timestamps:(0:00) Introduction (2:35) Trump's Tariff Strategy(6:05) Correlations Between TradFi and DeFi Yields(11:19) Ads (Aptos & Marinade)(11:48) Outlook For the Rest of 2025(17:34) Building During Bearish Conditions(25:36) Ads (Aptos & Marinade)(26:48) Speculation Drives Early Activity(29:50) Abu Dhabi's MGX Invests in Binance(35:58) Ads (Desk & Morpho)(36:52) Reactions to Trump's Crypto Summit(46:13) Advocating For DeFi--Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Jason, Michael, Vance and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

Joshua Tobkin, co-founder and CEO of Supra, dives into the innovative design of their vertically integrated blockchain platform. He discusses the integration of smart contracts, oracles, and cross-chain communication, highlighting its potential to automate decentralized finance. Tobkin addresses miner extractable value (MEV) complexities, offering strategies for mitigation to enhance ecosystem stability. He also shares insights on incentivizing app developers and the role of containerization in boosting security and scalability in blockchain applications.